Pumas punished as Smith shines

TED SMITH landed 29 points as Rockets scored a crushing win in their EBL match at Sutton on Saturday night.

Also in form beneath the boards for Rockets was James Cook, who scored 24 points against his former team.

That allowed Reading to open up a 43-point lead going into the final quarter on the way to a convincing win.

Rockets were without John Hodds due to a family bereavement. But Ian Rich returned after a broken rib.

Sutton took first possession from the tip, with Marlin Capers opening the scoring. But from then on Rockets were always in control.

Smith was at his commanding best, while some good defence and quick defensive deflections by Rockets, who were creating steals and taking rebounds by the bucketful, led to Peder Madsen, Smith and Jermaine Williams making lay-ups.

Capers continued to be Sutton's primary strike force with a big three. But Lloyd Gardner followed that with another three for Rockets whose team play was immense in the first five minutes of the game.

Smith then scored his first three of the evening and that was followed by Williams tipping in his own shot for two after previously making some great offensive rebounds at the other end.

Sutton called their first time-out at 18-5 down.

But it was Rockets who came out stronger with three tremendously aggressive offensive boards which finished with the ball being fed back out to Smith who hit a huge three.

Sutton tried to hit back almost immediately but Williams swatted a shot from Capers well out of court.

Cook finished Rockets' scoring in the quarter with a dunk to give them a 31-7 lead.

Sutton started the second quarter as they did the first, with an early score. But Rockets quickly got into their stride and with further strong defence created a jump-shot for Cook.

The visitors continued their intense pressure and already led by 26 points, 35-9, before a huge Cook rejection on a Sutton offence and two from two from the foul line by Madsen.

Rockets were playing to their strengths which enabled Cook to come inside an hit another jump shot to move into double figures.

In contrast, Sutton were struggling and their lack of focus was shown when, after Roger Lloyd was given a technical foul, they momentarily had six men on court.

Madsen brought things back to reality with a big three just before the end of the second quarter, to enable Rockets to pass their half century of points.

And a superb ‘no look' pass from Adam Kelly put in Cook who landed another two to give Rockets a 56-26 half-time lead.

Sutton were dealt a further blow when Brian Moore was forced to go to hospital for precautionary tests after hitting his head on the floor.

Rockets showed no mercy with Smith landing a big three at the start of the third period to extend their lead.

Madsen continued the scoring with a lay-up, Smith hit the second of his three pointers in this quarter and Williams had a finger roll as Rockets put on a 12-0 run to open up a 42-point gap.

Matt Johnson then made his first appearance of the evening for Rockets and almost immediately scored a customary reverse lay-up.

He followed that with one from two from the line after being fouled driving to the basket, and within 20 seconds finished off a quick break with another lay-up.

Williams stripped Capers of the ball as he strode to the basket, then some great offensive boards gave Mike O'Hanlon a break and he hit one from two from the line after being fouled.

Sutton, who had defeated leaders Plymouth Raiders just a couple of weeks previously to get the the National Trophy final, seemed bemused by the speed and agility of the Rocket players as they ended the quarter 81-38 down.

Rockets coach Dave Titmuss made several changes at the start of the final quarter, giving several of his squad players court time.

And that gave the home side their best opportunity to get some points on the board, with former Kingston Wildcats star Routledge landing four three-pointers after coming off the bench for the first time.

Rockets were still 89-54 up when Titmuss called a whole bench change. And this time it was the visitors who took control of the game with some fine board play at both ends.

Capers was the only person troubling Rockets and he had a good fourth quarter and top scored in the game with 28 points.

But Rockets finished with a flourish to run out big winners.

After the game Titmuss said: "This was a fine, professional display and continues our growing confidence and team play."